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About the Author

Lori Palatnik is a writer and Jewish educator who has appeared on television and radio. She is the Founding Director of The Jewish Women's Renaissance Project, an international initiative that brings thousands of women to Israel each year from 18 different countries on highly subsidized programs to inspire them with the beauty and wisdom of their heritage (www.jwrp.org). She is a much sought-after international speaker, having lectured in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, U.K., Central America, South America, South Africa and Israel, including featured talks at Yale, Brown and Penn. She lives in the Washington, D.C. area with her husband, Rabbi Yaakov Palatnik, and is the busy mother of five children, ages 25 to 15.

The opinions expressed in the comment section are the personal views of the commenters. Comments are moderated, so please keep it civil.

Visitor Comments: 10

(10)
Marianne,
June 8, 2016 2:03 PM

Thank you for bringing clarity!

I've been hearing sirens for the past few months and have been wondering their significance or what their message was.... Thank you for your video, I think I have finally been able to interpret the message they were trying to send me through you and your explanation. What you just said resonated with me deeply just now x

(9)
Irene,
February 13, 2013 6:43 AM

A needed heads-up

Thank you, Lori, for reminding us . It is so easy to become dull and complaisant.

(8)
Adrienne Cole,
February 13, 2013 1:09 AM

A meditation

what a wonderful way to meditate; being prompted by the siren--a prayer for others; an assessment for self. So very appropriate for a Lenten practice for Christians.

(7)
Joan,
February 12, 2013 9:43 PM

I, too, stop and pray for the emergency responders and the people they are hurrying to help. All of us need to remember that it could be ourselves or our loved ones in need of help. Always make way for emergency vehicles. I often think that being a driver of an emergency vehicle is one of the most difficult and fear-inducing jobs on the roads, especially in heavy traffic.

(6)
Rachel,
February 12, 2013 9:30 PM

The siren and the shofar

I've heard that part of the reason we sound the shofar throughout Elul is to remember "wake up - pay attention". This is a nice way to keep that spirit alive the rest of the year.
One of the things I sometimes forget as an observant Jew but that I knew before I was Orthodox is that all good prayers matter. Surely G-d can hear the simple prayer for possible victims and first responders just as He hears our formal prayers in Hebrew with a minyan. Thank you for the reminder

(5)
Charles Goldgeier,
February 12, 2013 7:35 PM

What is the prayer that should be said.

B"H
Hello Mrs. Palatnik:
What prayer do you recommed that should be said on hearing a siren?
Shalom,
Charles Goldgeier
Alpharetta, GA

(4)
Anonymous,
February 12, 2013 7:10 PM

very well said

As a New York, I hear lots of sirens. Most of the time, but, I admit, not always, I do say a prayer for the people i=on the ambulance. Since 9/11, when I hear a fire engine, I have started praying for the fire-fighters. No longer do I take them for granted.

(3)
Graciela Gerber,
February 12, 2013 6:33 PM

You have been making me try to become a better person for years

This time is not diferent. It never occurred to me before to stop and say a prayer for whoever is the siren for.
We live close to a fire station, now I know what to do when I hear the siren
Thank you Laurie

(2)
jacqueline,
February 12, 2013 4:30 PM

the sirens

Many decades ago when I was just starting my family I started for sirens and those involved. We had an apartment that faced the back of the building while the others faced the front. I was pregnant with my third child. I heard the sirens in my sleep. Without waking up I prayed for the sirens and to protect the people involved and I continued sleeping. The next day I went to get the mail. My neighbors were outside and I could smell burnt fabric. I walked up closer and there was a huge piece of burnt carpet outside. I asked what happened and they told me the building had been on fire. Then a look came over their faces and one lady said, "oh no, we forgot about you." I hadprayed

(1)
suzy,
February 11, 2013 8:10 AM

i hear a siren almost every day in my neighborhood. I hadn't noticed it until recently. It was kind of becoming annoying, but then I tried to appreciate that there are people to help others BH, Thank G-d. Thanks for the message.